The richest ever race in the English-speaking Caribbean, the $13.5 million Diamond Mile, marks its inaugural running at Caymanas Park on Saturday with a star-studded field representing the top-16 earners in training expected to face the starter.Sponsored by Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) and conceived by the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission, the grade-one event offers a whopping $6.5 million to the owner of the winning horse – a record. And if that wasn’t enough, purse money will be paid to the first 10 past the post, an unprecedented move.The breakdown of the purse from first to 10th place is as follows: $6.5 million to the winner, $2.1 million for second, $1.25 million for third, $754,000 for fourth, $628,000 for fifth, $513,000 for sixth, $200,000 for seventh, $189,000 for for eighth, $179,000 for ninth and $169,000 for 10th place, while the breeder of the winner will collect $945,000.In all, 26 entries have been received, representing the top earners in racing and comprising the top 16 and 10 reserves in order.Some of the really big names in racing will line up for this historic race, among them the 2013 Derby and St Leger winner, PERFECT NEIGHBOUR, one of six horses in the top 16 conditioned by 14-time champion trainer Wayne DaCosta.Also down to run is the top imported horse, UPPA TUNE, one of three horses from the stables of veteran trainer Harry Parsard; stable companions PETE’SWILDONE and outgoing champion sprinter POTCHEEN, along with two-time Horse of the Year, TYPEWRITER, from the stables of Spencer Chung; stable companion COMMANDING CHIEF, this year’s Derby winner; SEEKING MY DREAM from the DaCosta stables and the 2000 Guineas hero, ALI BABA, also trained by DaCosta; as well as the recent Burger King Superstakes winner, FRANFIELD, who is trained by Richard Azan and the consistent UNCLE TAF from the stables of Solomon Sharpe.Among the reserves are the recent Coca Cola Invitational Mile winner PHINEAS, the November 14 Glen Mills O.J. Caribbean Sprint champion POKER STAR, the runner-up CAMPESINO and the vastly improved 3-y-o filly LONG RUNNING TRAIN, all of whom are unlikely to get in.The three imported horses (UPPA TUNE, PETE’S WILDONE, FORTUNEONEHUNDRED) will carry joint top weight of 57.0kg, four-year-olds and up carry 55.0kg, while the three-year-old colts SEEKING MY DREAM and ALI BABA carry 53.0kg.read more

Education Minister,Dr Rupert RoopnaraineEducation CoI The Education Ministry will begin a series of public consultations commencing this Friday, as it gears itself for the start of the much-anticipated Commission of Inquiry into the education sector.According to a public announcement in the local dailies, members of the public have been invited to participate in public consultations between the Education Ministry and teachers, parents, school Boards and unions. This event will take place on April 22 at the St Stanislaus College at 16:00h. On April 29, the Ministry will meet with the business sector in the auditorium of the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD) and members of the public on May 4 at the St Stanislaus College.In its effort to review the Education Sector Strategic Plan, the Ministry said it would be conducting the CoI.The Inquiry is intended to provide evidential bases for the revision, upgrading and extension of the Plan.The Ministry has, therefore, extended an invitation to the public to submit memoranda on their perceptions of the state of the system, inclusive of factual illustrations where possible, and recommendations for the enhancement of the system.Memoranda, it said, should be submitted to the CoI Secretariat no later than May 14.Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said the CoI was essential since it would analyse the problems encountered within the school system. This, he said, will also allow the Ministry to use the information obtained through consultations with parents, students and teachers to formulate plans to deal with the problems.According to him, the Ministry has had a number of ideas to reform the sector, but they could not be implemented until data has shown what each region/school recommends to further build and enhance the manner in which education is delivered to students across Guyana. Additionally, the Minister disclosed that an audit had commenced since the beginning of his appointment.This audit had revealed a number of physical and administrative “glitches” within the system.In October of 2015, Dr Roopnaraine had stated that there had been a delay in the commencement of the Inquiry since the Ministry was still in the process of appointing persons to head the probe.He had intended to have nine persons be Commissioners, but at that time there had only been five confirmed persons, and he was in the course of contacting and confirming four other persons.However, these four persons were never confirmed and as such, the setting up of the CoI lagged.Persons who are desirous of supplementing their memoranda with oral presentations to the Commission may indicate in their submission the desire to do so.Additionally, persons who are desirous of making oral submissions without submitting memoranda may also write to the Commission, no later than April 30, 2016, expressing the desire to do so.read more